I really like my Sony Cybershot DSC-HX300. It has a 50X optical zoom, which is REALLY amazing. Then it has a lot more zoom past optical but you lose the definition of course. My only complaint would be when I'm using manual focus mode, and I only use that when there are a lot of items between me and the target, is that you're manually moving the focus ring but the adjustments are electronic and the manual movements of the ring are not the exact movements of the focus. Here is a camera review i stumbled across. http://cameras.reviewed.com/features/2013-best-of-year-camera-awards?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=cpc The below was 40 yards away.